Just one in three Scots want independence from UK

Less than one in three Scots support independence according to the first poll
published since the historic agreement on the terms of a referendum was
announced earlier this week.

Less than one in three Scots want independence from the UKPhoto: PA

9:10AM BST 18 Oct 2012

The figures show that backing for breaking away from Britain has fallen to 30% - a 5% fall since June and 9% down from January. Support for the union has risen to 58%, 3% up from June and 8% since January.

It comes as a blow to First Minister Alex Salmond as his Scottish National Party gathers for its annual conference in Perth.

The results of the Ipsos MORI poll for The Times show the scale of the task facing the nationalists in turning around public opinion before the indepdence vote in two years' time.

They also show 50% satisfied with the way Mr Salmond is doing his job as First Minister and 40% dissatisified, leaving him with a plus-10 rating, 3 points down from June and 25 points from January.

It comes as David Cameron yesterday pledged a positive campaign to save the Union and said he hoped parties from all parts of the country, including Northern Ireland, would join in.